A Journey to the Unknown
Korean International School , Lo , Christopher - 17
M y name is Cheung Guan and this is my Story on which I went more than 8000 km away from the only home I knew to the City of Rome , which fell after a thousand years . This is my account of how the city fell .
It was on the fields on Xi ’ an , that I tended to my rice crops in the afternoon spring . The Sun barraged my skin with its bright array . Cut , plow , rip , dig , those were several actions that were needed to maintain this little plot of land which provides me food and a home . For the last 2 years I have stayed on this farm and I just could not take it anymore . Without due hesitation , I put up my land for sale and sought a better , adventurous life . I gathered all the necessary belongings and left for the Huge City of Xi ’ an .
Days and nights went by as I trekked the path to Xi ’ an , dirt turned into stone and the people along the road became numerous . In the Midday , I trekked to see a monolith of such a city . The Gates of Xi ’ an , made with age old bronze , guarded by towers filled with archers . The City bustled with life with smoke edging across the horizon . Deep in the heart of the bustling sprawl , I knew that there were ways to the illustrious east . The streets were full of life , people going about their daily affairs , traders sought to hemorrhage as much coppers as they could . Bankrupting the naive traveller . I walked around this controlled chaos and very soon I heard the drunken cries from the Three Dragon Tavern . Mustering my feeble courage , I plunged into the fire .
The tavern was a hive of scum and villainy , filed with all kinds of shady characters all over the Middle Kingdom . Mercenaries from the northern steppes were confined to a corner , sharpening their blades . Smugglers played their board games , outwitting one another in the wooden establishment . There was however , one man that stood out from the crowd . He had a leather jacket , outfitted with a helmet from unknown origin . His sword was also from unknown make . Fuelled by my desire for adventure , I approached him carefully and asked him ¨Where do you get these antiques from ? ¨ Finishing his drink , the unknown man told me with just one word ¨Rome¨ . Intrigued I asked again ¨What is Rome¨ The man became clearly incensed with my presence . ¨Ask me one more question and I ’ ll make sure you will speak again ”. Shocked with the threat and his armed goons , I left immediately with a tail between my legs . I came out onto the streets again , blending in with the numerous faces . It appears I had to find another way to the West , I knew just the idea . The Markets facilitated trade between the unknown West with the Sassanids and beyond . Caravans would fulfill my thirst for adventure .
The markets were overflowing from goods all over China and the gateway to the west . Freshly weaved silk from the mulberry trees in Zhejiang , Finely decorated porcelain from the famous artisans of Jiangxi and exotic tea leaves from the fringes of the Kingdom in Manchuria . Traders endlessly haggled to get the best prices , which I only know too well as a farmer . I looked for stalls which dealt with exotic goods , I saw one dealing with a yellow metal , which was not gold . I asked “ Is it from Rome ?” He was stunned and he quickly rebounded with an answer , saying “ Yes , how do you know ?” filled with interest how I discovered this knowledge . I quickly replied “ From a group of thugs in the Three Dragon Tavern ”. He frowned slightly with utmost scrutiny , stating that “ That pitiful excuse for a Tavern , filled with dangerous men , evil men . Better be quiet about Rome , especially in China .” “ I want to travel to Rome .” I said with a steadfast reply . “ What skills do you have which would provide for my merry company ?”. “ I have experience in haggling and experience in War .” I said . “ There Is a lot of people who have these qualities , you can travel with me but what do you offer for a place ?” with a silver tongue . “ 20 Stones of Grain should be enough .” The trader paused but for a moment and nodded . I am travelling to the East . “ Oh , before I forget , my name is Darius .”
I prepared myself for the journey with buying the essentials needed , a leather bottle of water , worn lamellar armour from my service and a brittle short sword and a month ' s worth of provisions for the journey . Very soon I was kitted out with the necessary items needed to trek out into the wilderness . Darius and his rugged company got ready for the journey , armed with various weapons and mounted